Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: July | Volume: 7 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 60-66
Access to Sanitation in Some Rural Communities of Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria: A Survey Study
Emmanuel I. Umegbolu1, Moses E. Offor2
1District Hospital Awgu, Enugu State, Nigeria
2Department of Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Emmanuel I. Umegbolu
ABSTRACT
Background: Sanitation is defined as any system that promotes proper disposal of human and animal wastes, proper use of toilet and avoidance of open space defecation. Globally, in 2012, 2.5 billion people lacked access to an improved sanitation facility, compared to 2.7 billion in 1990. In Nigeria, access to improved sanitation has been on the decline since 1990, but in Enugu State it has been increasing since 2008.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if access to improved sanitation in Enugu state is actually increasing as has been reported, and the sustainability of this improvement beyond 2013, as this will help to reduce the incidence of sanitation-related diseases.
Materials and method: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in five rural communities of Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, using structured questionnaire administered to 297 respondents. The data were analysed as frequency distributions and t-test, using MaxStat (version3.60) statistical software.
Results: Access to improved sanitation in the five communities of Enugu State was 45% in 2014, representing some improvement from the 22.5% reported for the State in 2013. The incidence of open defecation was 55%.
Conclusion: The study has demonstrated some improvement in access to improved sanitation in some parts of Enugu state, although the incidence of open defecation is still high at 55%. In order to curb open space defecation, Enugu State and Nigeria need to intensify efforts in the provision of improved sanitation for the people.
Key words: Access, Sanitation, Improved, Defecation, Rural, Communities